PEF Division 167 - Unofficial

07/28/2021

07/28/2021

PEF members ratify 2019-2023 contract.

Members turned out in force to ratify the 2019-2023 PS&T collective bargaining agreement, with 56 percent of the membership voting. Ninety-six percent of those members voted in favor of the recently negotiated agreement.

Please click here for additional information: https://bit.ly/3BPiH0o

07/27/2021

Thank you President Wayne Spence and Cotract Chair Darlene Williams

PEF members ratify new contract

ALBANY, N.Y., July 27, 2021 -- PEF members turned out in force to ratify the 2019-2023 PS&T collective bargaining agreement. 56 percent of the PEF membership (28,000) participated and 96 percent cast a ballot in favor of the recently negotiated agreement. 27,067 PEF members voted yes. This is the third contract in a row that has been approved by the membership, with over 90% in favor.

“Despite an unprecedented pandemic and with New York on ‘pause,’ the contract team worked tirelessly to defend the rights of members and to bring to the table the best possible agreement during these trying times,” said PEF President Wayne Spence. “We gained annual salary increases, increased performance awards, improved dental and vision benefits, the return of the Productivity Enhancement Program, and provisions to revise telecommuting policies to provide a more robust program.”

The 2 percent base salary increases are in line with other public sector union contracts and are retroactive to April 2019.

“Since the spring of 2020, states have faced staggering economic hardships,” said Spence. “We are pleased New York saw the value of our membership and agreed to annual base salary increases. PEF members were on the frontlines of this pandemic and the whole state rallied behind them to flatten the curve. Heroes don’t deserve zeroes and the PEF Contract Team delivered on that.”

The new contract makes no changes to the employee share of healthcare premiums. In addition, the contract eliminates the four-days-per-pay-period telecommuting restriction and requires all state agencies to develop and implement a telecommuting policy within nine months of ratification.

The four-year deal covers the time period from April 2, 2019, to April 1, 2023. Spence said, "The high approval of this agreement demonstrates that our members are practical, but we all agree that our members deserve more."
PEF is New York’s second-largest employee union, representing 50,000 professional, scientific and technical titles.

07/27/2021

This page will be shutting down 😢 on July 31, 2021!
Please follow PEF Region 1 and Public Employees Federation (Official) for all your union news. Thank you for your support. It has been a pleasure to serve. Peace✌🏾

07/27/2021

Your COPE dollars help to fight for workers. Have you joined the fight.

Contribute today. [email protected] Don Morgenstern

07/26/2021

Happy to deliver our last scholarship check to Madison Kaifas-Steiner. Madison is the daughter of Dana Steiner, a Speech-Language Pathologist. Madison recently returned from advanced training in Kentucky with the ROTC/National Guard. She is a student at LeMoyne College. Thank you Madison for your service.

07/26/2021

Dear OPWDD Members, This survey is being conducted by PEF to obtain feedback from OPWDD members regarding the continued availability of telecommuting options. It should take only a few minutes to complete. It is perfectly acceptable to agree with all the statements presented. You do not have to agre...

07/26/2021

https://www.mondaycampaigns.org/move-it-monday/got-twelve-minutes-jog-mondaymile

Grab a pair of sneakers and step outside for a quick jog. It's an inexpensive exercise that can kick start your fitness routine this Monday.

07/25/2021

07/24/2021

Do not cross the picket line!

Here's a list of items you should NOT buy to stand in SOLIDARITY with the striking workers in Topeka, Kansas.

07/23/2021

Positive Workplace Relationships

Having healthy relationships with your co-workers can increase productivity, enhance teamwork, and improve morale.



The following are suggestions to promote positive relationships in the workplace, and make your job more enjoyable and productive:

• Practice open communication (give clear messages and actively listen)

• Focus on the positive (successes, ways of making things better)

• Respect differences in attitude, judgment, and ability

• Show gratitude (say ‘thank you’)

• Maintain healthy boundaries (respect your co-workers’ time and workspace)

• Avoid office gossip

• Be aware of how your behavior affects others

• Take responsibility for your actions and apologize when necessary



For additional information about positive workplace relationships, as well as other issues, contact your agency’s EAP coordinator found at the coordinator listing below or call 1-800-822-0244.

07/22/2021

Congratulations to SHOSHANA WILLIAMS,
newly appointed Chair, PEF Region 1 Women’s Comittee...you rock👑👑

07/21/2021

Enjoying a dog, frank, or sausage on ? Make sure it’s

07/21/2021

Congratulations to our Council Leader Stephanie McLean-Beathley

I am pleased to announce that I have appointed Stephanie McLean-Beathley the administrator of PEF Member Benefits, effective August 9, 2021. Stephanie will be the first African-American woman to serve in this important role.

Stephanie has been a Trustee of the PEF Member Benefits Program (MBP) since August 2015. She is a member of the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans, from which she earned the distinction of Trustee–Master Level after completing specialized training centering on fiduciary responsibilities, including governmental reporting and benefits planning.

Stephanie also serves as chair of the PEF Convention Credentials Committee; and as a member of the Article 9 Health Benefits Committee; the Statewide OPWDD and OMH Labor Management Committees, and the Statewide Women’s Committee; and she is currently Council Leader for Division 167, serving members at OPWDD (Western) and OMH WNYCPC. Prior to becoming council leader, she served the division as assistant council leader and division secretary. Outside of PEF, Stephanie has served as Vice President of the Buffalo Chapter of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, and as a Board Member of the United Way of Buffalo and Erie County.

Stephanie holds a Masters degree in Social Work from SUNY Buffalo, where she was a recipient of the Hazeltine Clements Award for Excellence in Field Education. As a licensed Master Social Worker and OPWDD employee, she has provided clinical services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in western New York, as well as clinical and administrative services to their families, for more than 30 years.

Please join me in congratulating Stephanie and
welcoming her to her new role.

Wayne Spence

President

New York State Public Employees Federation, AFL-CIO

07/20/2021

07/20/2021

https://www.govexec.com/management/2021/07/senators-reintroduce-bill-protect-federal-employees-returning-workplaces/183803/

The House passed an earlier version last Congress.

07/19/2021

YOU HAVE A WEEK

Contract ballots are due back in hand to AAA on July 26 at 5pm.

07/19/2021

07/17/2021

There is talk of slashing the $400 billion projected funding for Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) to only $150 billion. This is crucial funding that impacts the programs and services People Inc. provides. We’re urging families and supporters to make their voices heard! To help, email Senator Chuck Schumer at schumer.senate.gov/contact/email-chuck.

Here is a suggested message:
Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) are key to ensuring people with disabilities are included in the community, but the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated a long-standing crisis in recruiting/retaining direct care workers. Senator Schumer, please ensure that all $400B proposed by President Biden is included in the reconciliation package.

07/16/2021

Working people are uniting to demand Congress deliver the change we voted for.

See the letter from the AFL-CIO AFT - American Federation of Teachers, AFSCME, SEIU, and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers

http://bit.ly/3xOWg9s

07/16/2021

There is just about one week left for you to vote on the 2019-2023 Tentative Agreement. If you haven’t made time yet, open the orange envelope you got in the mail, follow the instructions, and send it back – no postage required – to our election administrator, American Arbitration Association. In order for your vote to count, AAA must receive your ballot by 5m on July 26. Votes will be counted on July 27. MAKE YOUR VOTE COUNT!
Visit www.pef.org for complete contract details.

07/14/2021

The event will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at WNYDDSO, 1200 East & West Rd in West Seneca.

07/13/2021

https://www.pef.org/media-center/the-communicator/?fbclid=IwAR0U4xfQNeWLGFnHkBcYZgFfdnJ1n5Mol238Cr3840UMwiW-tDNZoPtgEDY

» The Communicator | New York State Public Employees Federation

07/13/2021

Congratulations Madison, Andrew & Aiden

» Division 167 awards three scholarships | New York State Public Employees Federation

07/13/2021

Contract strong...Vote Today!!!! Wayne Spence Darlene Williams

07/12/2021

This message is being sent by Cynthia Edwards, Western Region 1 EAP Coordinator as a blind copy to all employees. Please do not respond to this e-mail directly.

We are very excited to announce that the NYS Employee Assistance Program will be sponsoring NYS Deferred Compensation Plan webinars for all employees who wish to attend. The NYSDCP is a supplemental retirement plan which is also known as a 457(b) plan and their mission is to help State and local-public employees achieve their retirement savings goals and help bridge any potential financial gap in retirement. Individual appointments are available for follow up and for those who are unable to attend.

(Tuesday) July 13th at 10 AM – Countdown to Retirement Webinar – a free educational webinar to explain important considerations to think about for those approaching retirement. The presentation will discuss longevity, income sources, asset consolidation, and withdrawals/required minimum distributions.

To register, you may click here:

https://nationwidepcsales.webex.com/nationwidepcsales/onstage/g.php?MTID=eed2fa353aabcee6a575d25c7e5c616c0

(Tuesday) July 13th at 12 PM – Enrollment Webinar - a free educational webinar to explain the benefits of enrolling and participating in the NYS Deferred Compensation Plan and how it can help you save for and live in retirement. The presentation will go over the basics of investing and the investment options, pre-tax contributions, and an overview of the easy and secure online enrollment process.

To register, you may click here:

https://nationwidepcsales.webex.com/nationwidepcsales/onstage/g.php?MTID=e83d798a887d30e35829a543c4ceac1bc

If you would like to schedule a consultation go to http://mark_wallace.myretirementappt.com

Schedule an appointment online, book online

07/12/2021

Reminder PEF members - Contract Ballots must be received in hand, not just mailed or postmarked, by AAA on or before 5 p.m. on July 26, 2021.

PEF members who have not received a ballot by July 9, 2021, should call the AAA hotline at (800) 529-5218 to request a ballot or replacement ballot.

Ballots will be counted by AAA on July 27, 2021.

For more info on contract ballot timeline please click here: bit.ly/3jDtKU3

07/12/2021

members - we are holding another Telephone Town Hall TONIGHT, July 12 at 6pm and everyone is invited. You do not need to register for the call. We will call the number we have on file for you. Additional details in your PEF e-mail.

07/12/2021

We are very excited to announce that the NYS Employee Assistance Program will be sponsoring NYS Deferred Compensation Plan webinars for all employees who wish to attend. The NYSDCP is a supplemental retirement plan which is also known as a 457(b) plan and their mission is to help State and local-public employees achieve their retirement savings goals and help bridge any potential financial gap in retirement. Individual appointments are available for follow up and for those who are unable to attend.

(Tuesday) July 13th at 10 AM – Countdown to Retirement Webinar – a free educational webinar to explain important considerations to think about for those approaching retirement. The presentation will discuss longevity, income sources, asset consolidation, and withdrawals/required minimum distributions.
To register, you may click here:

https://nationwidepcsales.webex.com/nationwidepcsales/onstage/g.php?MTID=eed2fa353aabcee6a575d25c7e5c616c0

(Tuesday) July 13th at 12 PM – Enrollment Webinar - a free educational webinar to explain the benefits of enrolling and participating in the NYS Deferred Compensation Plan and how it can help you save for and live in retirement. The presentation will go over the basics of investing and the investment options, pre-tax contributions, and an overview of the easy and secure online enrollment process.
To register, you may click here:

https://nationwidepcsales.webex.com/nationwidepcsales/onstage/g.php?MTID=e83d798a887d30e35829a543c4ceac1bc

If you would like to schedule a consultation go to http://mark_wallace.myretirementappt.com




Mark J. Wallace
Senior Account Executive
NYS Deferred Compensation Plan
614-854-4397
716-903-7253
www.nysdcp.com

Sign up and manage your deferred compensation retirement account.

07/12/2021

https://www.mondaycampaigns.org/move-it-monday/let-nature-be-your-playground

Make this Move it Monday an afternoon of exploration with a family nature walk and scavenger hunt through the forest, public park, or even your backyard.

07/12/2021

Financial Planning and Wealth Management

$1.50/day on water = $360/year
$2.50/day on coffee = $600/year
$8.50/day on lunch = $1,224 year

In 2020, you may not have spent as much money on incidental things. For example, if you didn’t buy water, coffee, or lunch on a daily basis, you may have saved a bit over $2,000! For 2021, many people are reconsidering their spending habits, and aligning them with their long-term goals.

Wealth managers recommend an annual personal financial check-up, much like your annual dental cleaning. Set aside time to organize your income and expenses in a spreadsheet. Review any auto-renewing expenses such as insurance policies or subscriptions to determine if they still meet your needs. Check your credit report. Develop a plan to reduce interest paid on any debts.

Most people dislike “budgeting” and see debt reduction as a “chore”. It may help motivate you to reframe this as “proactive planning for my goals”. Think of it as “taking charge of my income” to attain that dream vacation, buy a home, or retire.

The following links may help you plan and manage debt:
• ‘A Debt Reduction Calculator Tutorial - Use a Debt Snowball to Pay Off Debt’ is a useful five-minute video.
• Clearpoint offers many fiscal planning and debt reduction tools online.
• NYS Higher Education Services Corporation - Repay Your Loans.
o Student loan refinancing calculator.
• A PEF membership provides a one hour yearly financial planning benefit at no cost to you when you use the services of Stacey Braun Associates. No investment or insurance products are sold – you receive free financial advice only.

(source: Laura Davis/OMH Central Office EAP)